Using color wisely
Color is perhaps the most important preattentive processing attribute that helps us to focus on and distinguish different elements easily. On the other hand, by choosing colors poorly, we hide or distract users from the purpose of the visual. In this section, we will go over some best practices in using color effectively.
Use fewer distinct colors
Having too many distinct colors in a visual or a dashboard can cause unnecessary strain on the eyes. Nothing really stands out in a jumble of disparate colors, and it becomes difficult to process the information. Three is a good number of colors to aim for using in a dashboard. You can include up to a couple of additional colors that are related to or in the same spectrum as the main colors. Figure 1.7 in Chapter 1, Introduction to Data Storytelling, is a good example of using fewer colors on a dashboard. The same dashboard using a number of different colors looks noisy, as shown in the following screenshot:
